The BPF Hosts its First UK REACH Workshop

UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is a regulatory framework that came into force on the 1st January 2021, following the UK’s departure from the EU. The legislation manages the use of chemicals and substances on the UK market and aims to protect human health and the environment by ensuring chemicals are safely managed and evaluated. Most of the legislative text replicates the EU REACH version, with minor amendments and additions to ensure the framework remains relevant to the UK industry.

UK REACH effects the sourcing, production and use of chemicals in plastic products and therefore impacts the whole plastics supply chain, highlighting the important role of the BPF in ensuring industry concerns are heard and members are kept informed to learn and adhere to the new legislation framework.

Under EU REACH, GB companies that imported chemicals and substances from EU countries were considered downstream users, however under UK REACH they are now considered importers, and therefore have additional responsibilities. There is a lot of new, complex information for companies to learn.

To be able to continue to use or import a substance in the UK, companies are legally required to ensure it is registered by the following deadlines:

• Registration for substances > 1000 tonnes per year; CMRs etc. 27th October 2026
• Registration for substances > 100 tonnes: 27th October 2028
• Registration for substances > 1 tonne: 27th October 2030

Despite the first UK REACH deadline being less than two years away, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Companies are waiting for further information from the UK government so they can effectively plan and prepare for the new legislation.  

The British Plastics Federation (BPF)’s Product Safety Committee is made up of regulatory experts from across the various BPF groups and is chaired by Chris Howick, Inovyn. The committee meets twice a year, or more if required, to discuss the latest with regards to UK and EU REACH, PFAS, microplastics, CLP, drinking water regulations and more. The committee supports members with product compliance and provides a voice for the UK plastics industry, by responding to government consultations and understanding how new legislation will impact BPF members. Regular seminars and events such as this are hosted to ensure members are up to date.

In November 2024, the Committee organised a BPF UK REACH workshop which was free to attend and open to all BPF members on a first come, first served basis. The event quickly sold out, demonstrating the importance and confusion that UK REACH brings to members. The aims of the workshop were:

• To inform members of the latest with UK REACH
• Give members practical advice on the steps they can be taking now to ensure UK REACH compliance
• Build member’s confidence when it comes to UK REACH
• Provide a networking opportunity
• Enable the BPF to understand the most common challenges for members

Hosted at the University of Birmingham, with guest speakers from Professor Andrew Dove (Birmingham Plastics Network), Professor Neil Champness (Head of Chemistry, University of Birmingham), Dr Chris Howick (Inovyn) and Dr Neil Hunt (Yordas), a consultant who worked with DEFRA on the Alternative Transitional Registration Model (ATRm), the workshop was a great success. The presentation from Yordas (new BPF member), was particularly useful in deepening understanding as it provided a comprehensive breakdown from the background of UK REACH to practical steps companies can take right now to ensure compliance. There was strong engagement from attendees, who actively participated throughout the session. Members were asking each other and the speakers insightful questions, sharing answers and offering feedback on their own experiences. Many commented that hearing real-world examples was particularly helpful. The combination of expert insights and peer-driven discussions made for a highly informative and valuable session.

During the workshop, members were split into smaller groups and asked to discuss pre-determined questions such as ‘What use and exposure data should you be collecting now and how can you source the required information?’ and ‘What are the biggest financial concerns when it comes to UK REACH?’

During the feedback session, clear themes were apparent; guidance documents from the UK government would be very helpful, concerns about the final impact of UK REACH, which is still not clear, recycling specific challenges, the difficulty in meeting the UK REACH registration deadlines, and the challenge of sourcing exposure data which may go above and beyond what is required by EU REACH.

A laboratory tour of the University of Birmingham Chemistry department’s facilities was also arranged for BPF Product Safety Committee members. Whilst polymers are currently UK REACH exempt, importers and users of the polymer must ensure the monomer is registered. Getting characterisation data can be complex and therefore having an overview of the analytical capabilities at the University of Birmingham was really useful for those responsible for regulatory compliance.

Overall, the event was a great success, with positive feedback from attendees. Given the success and high level of engagement, the BPF is already considering similar events on a larger scale for the future, to build on the momentum of this session, providing even more opportunities for our members to learn, network and collaborate.

The BPF would like to thank the University of Birmingham’s Plastics Network, Yordas and the Chair of the Product Safety Committee, Chris Howick, for making this event possible.

If you’re interested in joining the BPF’s Product Safety Committee, please contact Mary Aiken-Wood ([email protected]).

You can hear more about future BPF UK REACH seminars, webinars and events in our newsletter and the events pages of the BPF website.